Names of the elements on the billiard table
It is important that you know the terms of a billiard table, so it will be easier for you to communicate with the billiard players.
If you play championships, usually in 8-ball and 10-ball you have to say in which hole the object ball goes.
Billiard table hole numbers
If you play championships, normally in 8-ball and 10-ball you have to ” call out” in which hole the object ball goes.
In the image above you will see the numbers of those holes.
What is the name of the area where the cue ball is placed?
This area where the cue ball of any modality of billiards is placed is called the Kitchen.
It is also called the kitchen or the break area.
If you look at the image above is the area of the white line to the back (where the mingo is located).
The cue ball or mingo can be placed anywhere in that area even above the white line.
Parts of the billiard table
The billiard table is composed of rails, cushions, a playing surface and pockets.
The rails may be inlaid with diamonds that are 1/4 wide and 1/8 long.
The diamonds are used to better measure shots with rails, kick shots and bank shots.
The slate is the flat part of the playing surface, upholstered with a cloth, usually green in color.
The famous brand of cloths are Simonis or Championship.
Why is the cloth on the pool table green?
In the 14th century, the precursor of billiards was played on grass.
Due to inclement weather it was decided to introduce it to the castles and raise it on a table covered with a cloth whose green color was chosen to emulate the grass, for the happiness of the courtiers.
Also because it is the color that represents the lodges and the most powerful royal families in the world.
Cloth or felt, fast or slow?
Most cloths are made from wool and a percentage of polyester or nylon.
The way the cloth is woven, the quality of the wool and the manufacturing process determine how good or bad the cloth will be.
That is, whether it will be more or less heavy and that will make the balls roll fast or slow.
Depending on how they handle the material, there are two types of cloths:
- Woolen Cloth or those that are made of wool.
- Worsted Wool are made of combed wool.
Woolen Cloth are thicker, heavier and slower, usually found on coin-operated or recreational pool tables.
Worsted Wool are thinner, faster and more expensive, they are used on competition tables.
The interlacing or braiding of the weave is perfect so that in the long run it does not create knots that alter the direction of the billiard balls.
Most commonly used cloths or felts
They are Simonis or Championship brand.
The size of a pool table
Famous billiard table brands
Brunswick, Olhausen and Diamond, these brands manufacture beautiful professional and competition pool tables.
You will undoubtedly see them in classy venues and prestigious clubs.
3-Cushion Carom Billiard Tables
These tables do not have pockets.
It is a table with a rectangular surface, strictly flat and horizontal, the slate has a minimum thickness of 45 mm.
Its bands are made of rubber, the height of which is set at 37 mm.
The dimensions of the surface are 1.42 x 2.84 m.
Why are carom tables plugged into the power supply?
When you see a carom table and you see that it has a cable to be plugged in, it is because it has electric heating to remove moisture from the slate and cloth. It acts through thermostats, ensuring during the game better behavior of the balls.
Famous brands of 3-Cushion tables
They are called Gabriels and are used in clubs and high-level competition.
Snooker tables
These are longer than billiards and the pockets are shorter.
Snooker table cloths
The best snooker cloths are made by the Strachan company.
Snooker is a very nice game, if you have not played it yet, I recommend you to look for a club to play and learn.
It helps you to have more precision in your shots when playing.
Billiard and Snooker Felts or Cloths
An excellent pool table and snooker table must have the best fast mat used in big championships.
Consult in this mega article all about the felts or cloths.
